2010-04-27: New Orleans

With the lion's share of the recording of the new Miracle 3 record left behind us somewhere in the outskirts of Richmond, it's time to drift into the week- long orgy of food and music that is Jazz Fest right here in New Orleans. I've always wanted to check out this highly regarded festival but it seemed that the timing was always wrong, usually conflicting with our own touring plans. How dare MY music and food adventures get in the way of enjoying the food and music adventures of others. But here we are, Linda and I camping out in a collective of French Quarter cottages with our Baseball Project compatriots Scott and Peter who are here working on the new REM album. We're even going to sneak in the recording of the third installment of the Broadside Ballads on Monday when REM closes up shop for the day.

But mostly this trip is about revelry, moderate excess (not the contradiction in terms one might think- I'm more of a moderate extremist than extreme moderate when it comes to the good things in life) and, of course, celebration. And there is plenty to celebrate right now. Our eight days in Richmond went incredibly well and we have recorded 14 tracks of which the greatest challenge will be deciding which ones to leave off the record. What can I say? Hard to describe but I would say it's a rocking, psychedelic, dreamy, hazy, trippy, muscular, whimsical, loud, soft, scary and celebratory affair. In short, it's what the four of us do together. But it might be the best example of us "doing our thing" yet.

By the way, the record is tentatively titled "Northern Aggression." That would be the post- Civil War tale of 4 Northerners moving below the Mason- Dixon line to wreak havoc but, fortunately, all in the name of love and music and good times this time around. . I wish it were coming out next week. But you'll have to wait until November. My apologies.

In the meantime, stay tuned- there will be more correspondence from right here in New Orleans. The next 24 hours will contain a veritable gumbo of the Meters, etoufee, Patti Smith, Levon Helm, cocktails, jambalaya and much more. I think I just made myself tired.

ps....I will be doing my best to join the Tweet Revolution while I'm here so feel free to sign up on this very website